"There was plenty of time left. But were Liverpool about to finally lose a top-flight fixture against the visitors on their own turf for the first time since 1994? Was the champions' winless run in the Premier League about to extend to six games? Not if Hugo Ekitike had anything to do with it. The France forward dragged his side level with a poacher's finish - then fired them in front with a quick-fire second before half-time, much to the delight of manager Arne Slot."
"These were the sort of finishes Newcastle's scouting team had seen plenty of, having tried to sign Ekitike, 23, on three separate occasions - including last summer. Even head coach Eddie Howe could not help but hold his hands up. "Sometimes you have to acknowledge the player against you while also acknowledging we could have defended better," he said. "Ekitike is an outstanding player and you saw that today.""
Anthony Gordon gave Newcastle an early lead with a 36th-minute finish, prompting a reaction from the Anfield crowd. Hugo Ekitike then equalised with a poacher's finish and scored a quick second before half-time, triggering a Liverpool comeback that finished 4-1. Manager Arne Slot praised Ekitike's speed and special qualities, while Eddie Howe conceded that Liverpool could have defended better and acknowledged Ekitike's all-round strengths. Newcastle had attempted to sign Ekitike on three occasions, and the striker has already scored 15 goals for Liverpool, underscoring his immediate impact and Premier League suitability.
Read at www.bbc.com
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